The selection of Gary Aytes as Roane County Schools director has been welcomed by many — and rightly so.

At a time when funding and teachers’ employment issues have caused tension elsewhere, he has boosted morale among teachers and parents in Roane County.

Aytes also has found love along the way.

At a school board meeting last month, Aytes was congratulated on his recent marriage to Glenna Treece, a well-respected former Midtown Elementary School principal who now works as the school system’s parent involvement coordinator.

Oh, yes, the problem of gun control rears its ugly head yet again.
I am totally for the Second Amendment to our Constitution.
Yes, I should have a handgun to protect myself and family.
Yes, everyone should have a rifle if they want to hunt game. (I love venison with potatoes, carrots and onions, but I could never shoot a deer).

Location is everything in real estate, some say, and the new Roane Medical Center is expertly positioned to be accessible to local and regional patients.
The open house on Sunday was a good chance to get a feel for this patient-friendly facility.
Lots of natural lighting and views of the countryside will make a stay there less tiresome, and the couch-bed for overnight guests of patients will be very well received.

By LEE H. HAMILTON
A few weeks ago, in his second inaugural speech, President Obama waded into the longest-running argument our history offers.
“Progress does not compel us to settle centuries-long debates about the role of government for all time,” he said, “but it does require us to act in our time.”
He had just laid out a rationale for government action on infrastructure, protecting the security and dignity of people, climate change, inequality, the strength of arms and the rule of law.